as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
her assistant fumbled the party plans by getting the time wrong on the invitations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grope
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
the librarian fumbled for the light switch as she entered the dark room
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fumble
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Especially after his only notable play last season was an embarrassing ball drop/fumble inside the one-yard line against the Texans, which resulted in a touchback.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Marketing gets the lead, but operations fumbles the conversion.
—Michael Fox, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
If it’s being called a fumble, S Dante Trader recovered it.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Especially after his only notable play last season was an embarrassing ball drop/fumble inside the one-yard line against the Texans, which resulted in a touchback.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Verb
Ferguson couldn't find the end zone once, and even fumbled the ball four times, after preventing fumbles entirely during his first two seasons in the league.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Marketing gets the lead, but operations fumbles the conversion.
—Michael Fox, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
-
Chisholm getting thrown out on the bases might be the most egregious of the team’s mental mistakes this season.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
-
In the annals of American mistakes, his two election victories will be recorded as the most damaging.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the marquee Challenger matchup of the weekend, a rematch of the Mid-Season final, Las Vegas blew the doors off of Nashville.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Kaus was setting up the umbrella when a gust of wind blew her off a lifeguard stand, dropping her on the point end of the 1-inch metal pole, NJ.com reported.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
In a new trailer for Season 27 Episode 2, the show’s version of Trump is seen groping Satan’s leg under a table during a public dinner event.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
29 July 2025
-
The final case involves a Jane Doe plaintiff who alleges Lythgoe forcibly groped, kissed, and digitally penetrated her inside his chauffeured vehicle in 2016.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Symptoms include shivering, memory loss, stumbling, confusion and sleepiness.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
-
Nonetheless, everything in Yountville is a short stroll, or stumble, from Jessup.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Its acquisitions in consumer banking were at worst blunders and at best decent deals struck in pursuit of a doomed strategy.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
21 July 2025
-
Consider how McDonald's had to end an experiment with AI drive-thru ordering due to blunders that led to customer frustration and viral videos on social media.—
Rishi Kumar,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
The outlandish rocker, who later embarked on a solo career, was booted from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to his rampant drug and alcohol addiction.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
-
CSPs that are getting booted are allowed to continue conducting business as normal until October 31.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
The sides fell from the packing crate, and the Roadrunner, a squat device that looked a little like a penguin, was propelled upward by two turbojets.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
The disappointment is palpable in a team that won the World Series as recently as four years ago and has veteran skipper Brian Snitker, in the last year of his contract, looking toward retirement.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Families are driving instead of flying, opting for shorter getaways and looking for more budget-friendly options like cruises or trips closer to home.—
Adrienne Roberts,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
-
The soft fabric drapes beautifully without swallowing your petite frame whole, and the length hits right at the ankle to keep you from tripping over it.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share